Both Sides React to Boy Scouts’ Delay in Gay Ban Decision

The Boy Scouts of America has backed off a proposal to ease its policy of excluding gays and delayed a vote until May. Some comments from both sides of the debate:

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"Due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy." - Deron Smith, Boy Scouts of America spokesman

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"The decision from the Boy Scouts today is no doubt a victory. And it's a result of people standing up and standing for the timeless values and moral principles that the Boy Scouts teach and they stand for themselves." - Jonathan Saenz, president of Texas Values

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"My attitude is that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunity the same way everybody else does in every institution and walk of life." - President Barack Obama, whose office also makes him honorary president of the BSA

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"They failed us yet again ... Putting this off until May only ensures other gay kids and gay parents are discarded." - Jennifer Tyrrell, a mother ousted as leader of her son's Cub Scout pack in Ohio because she is a lesbian.

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"It's not a place to have homosexuals with our boys. If this happens, we're shutting down our troop." - Scoutmaster Darrel Russell

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"By postponing this decision, thousands of currently active Scouts still remain uncertain about their future in the program and are shamed into silence." - Brad Hankins, campaign director of Scouts for Equality

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"And I'm so thankful that we live in a land where we can respect your right to disagree. But we ask you to respect our right to uphold the values that we have held for over a hundred years." - Scout leader Chris Hill

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"I would have liked them to have made a decision in favor of what the Boy Scouts have been doing all along anyway. But the fact that they postponed it means that they are listening to everybody that's giving them information and opinions and requesting that they consider their viewpoint ... so that part, I'm impressed with." - Larry Weseman, Eagle Scout and Scout leader

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"We consider it a victory for today. And we are thankful that they are really considering what we are asking them to do, which is to hold strong to the policy that they have had for years." - Michelle Smith, associate director of Concerned Women of America

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Comments

BlondieSL, 2013-02-07 16:48:37

Yes, don’t progress. Keep living in a cave. Stay in the dark and you won’t have to be afraid of your shadow. They are so outdated and clich?.

Bob K, 2013-02-07 19:29:26

I SUGGEST SAYING THIS TO ANYONE WHO IS PRO-BAN: "Suppose your 7 yr old joins the Cubs, then, at 12 or 14 or 15, realizes he is Gay. Should you then pull him away from all his friends and send him to the "Gay Scouts", or should he attempt to lie his way into staying in his troop?"

WayGay, 2013-02-08 06:32:36

I’d be willing to bet that the closeted gay scoutmasters are the most vocal Prohibitionists. Their secret is what’s most important to them. That and covering up their misdeeds.

Wayne M., 2013-02-08 17:20:14

One needs to wonder how Boy Scout organizations in other countries have gotten rid of their bans on Gay men in the scouting movement and have had no trouble, while the United States Scouting movement fears lifting this ban can only result in trouble and place boys at risk. Are men in the United States more likely to prey on children than men elsewhere? If so, then the problem is with the United States and not LGBT people.

, 2013-02-09 07:51:52

Why is that everything homosexual has to be put off...that just proves the situation will never get better

GAG'EM, 2013-02-09 14:10:48

We need to stop begging bigots and homophobes to accept us into their homophobic institutions and start our own open, non-judgmental institutions. There is an organization called Scouting For All that was started by gay and straight boys and men who want to treat all people equally. This should be a model for how we approach homophobia in this society. Church won’t accept you? Start your own. Etc.

GAG'EM, 2013-02-09 14:34:26

P.S. I don’t have to prove that I’m AS GOOD AS any homophobe. I know I’m better!